Difference Between Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo Disneyland

The name Disneyland is in itself enough to let tourists conjure up images of a wonderful trip to a fantasy land where there is fun and frolic along with fantasy and adventure. Disneyland is actually a theme park meant for entertainment of the tourist. While the original and first Disneyland park is situated in Anaheim, California, USA (opened in 1955), its amazing popularity among kids and those young at heart prompted authorities to open an international Disneyland park in Tokyo and finally another in Hong Kong. Though the underlying theme and concept of the Disneyland parks in Tokyo and Hong Kong are same, there are differences that will be talked about in this article.

Tokyo Disneyland

Tokyo Disneyland was the first international Disneyland theme park as it was outside US. It opened in 1983 on a much bigger area (115 acres) than California. This park was constructed by the company set up by Walt Disney in the same manner as the one in California. However, it is owned by The Oriental Land Company that has the franchise to run the park. Disneyland Tokyo has not one but 7 theme parks such as World Bazaar, Tomorrowland, Westernland, Fantasy land, Adventureland , Critter Country, and Mickey’s Toontown. The park is a very popular destination of tourists from all parts of the world and receives more than 12 million guests in a year.

Hong Kong Disneyland

Hong Kong Disneyland is the latest Disneyland in the world having opened as late as 2005. From the very beginning, Disney was aware of cultural differences between the American model and the Chinese theme park and so made all attempts to incorporate Chinese culture, traditions and customs to lure Chinese mainland tourists. The structure follows Feng Shui rules but despite all honest intentions, the park has not been able to become a major hit so far among the tourists. Hong Kong Disneyland has the lowest capacity among all Disneyland parks in terms of tourists and so far it has managed to receive around 25 million guests in 5 years of its existence. Hong Kong Disneyland is also the smallest of all Disneyland parks, measuring around 55 acres. Construction and expansion is underway, and once completed, the number of tourists is expected to go up to around 8 million per year.

Hong Kong Disneyland vs Tokyo Disneyland

• While Tokyo Disneyland has haunted mansion just like the original Disneyland, it is missing in Hong Kong Disneyland because of differences in Chinese culture about afterlife.

• Tokyo Disneyland is spread over an area of 115 acres whereas Hong Kong Disneyland is smaller in comparison (55 acres)

• Tokyo Disneyland has been a huge hit ever since it was opened in 1983 whereas Hong Kong Disneyland has been in the red in 5 years of its existence (2005).

• Designing of Hong Kong Disneyland was troublesome for Disney and they had to incorporate many Chinese cultures, traditions and customs to appease and to lure more Chinese tourists whereas there was no such problem with Tokyo Disneyland